When you take the Shinkansen or the limited express train, you may have to book a seat because some trains require you a seat reservation. Though some limited express trains have some non-reserved cars, you should book a reserved seat if you can.
Especially if you use JR Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, Sanyo San’in Area Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass, these passes cover a reserved seat fee. Use this benefit to ride a train with a peace of mind.
I also strongly recommend you to secure a seat if you travel in the peak seasons, such as late April to the first week of May (a.k.a. Golden Week), August 10 to 20 (It is called “Obon” which is a summer break.) and the year-end/New Years holiday (December 29th to the first week of January.)
I would like to explain you how to book a reserved seat in this post
Before you make a reservation
If you intend to use Japan Rail Pass (a.k.a. JR Pass), JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass, you MUST turn in your exchange order to the actual Pass before booking your seat. You have to show your pass when you make a reservation. Exchange order does not work to book a train seat. Once you turned in, you can go ahead to make a reservation at any reservation windows and anytime. But if you use JR Easts’ online reservation, you can book a seat in advance before exchanging an actual pass. I will explain about this online reservation site later in this post.
Explaination by movie
You can watch the movie below which explains you about the booking in the station:
If you buy the JR Pass on the official reservation site, you can book a seat online. I explain how to use this site in the movie below:
I explain how to use JR East online booking step by step in the movie below:
Where you can book
First of all, I would like to tell you how to book a seat at the station. I will explain you about online booking later in this post.
You can book a seat at the ticket reservation office that is called “Midori no Madoguchi (みどりの窓口)”. You can find “Midori no Madoguchi” very easily. You will find a big green sign easily like the images above and below.
“Midori no Madoguchi” is located at most of major JR stations. If you are in major cities, such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Fukuoka, Sapporo, you cannot miss “Midori no Madoguchi”. 99% of JR stations in these cities have “Midori no Madoguchi”. Some major stations have a few Midori no Madoguchi.
The signage is different in JR Central area.
If you travel in JR Central (JR東海) area, you cannot find Midori no Madoguchi. Because “Midori no Madoguchi” is JR East’s trademark and JR Central avoids to use it. In JR Central area, such as Nagoya, Mishima, Shizuoka, Gifu, Takayama, it is shown as “Shinkansen and JR Line Tickets (新幹線・JR線きっぷうりば)” like image below.
JR Central operates the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. JR Central has a ticket office outside JR Central operation area, such as Tokyo, Shin-Yokohama, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. In these stations, you can find two different kinds of the ticket office, “Midori no Madoguchi” and “Shinkansen and JR Line Tickets”. But you can use either ticket office to book any JR train tickets. This difference does not matter.
What kind of information you need
Please make sure the following information before you make a reservation:
- Date and time
- Train name and number
This is not required. But if you want to take the specific train, please tell the train name and number. It is much easier to make a reservation for the staff and you can save your time. All Shinkansen trains and most limited express trains have the combination of the name and number. e.g. “Hikari 246”. - Departure and Arrival Stations
- Smoking or Non Smoking
Smoking seat is still available on a few trains. If you really want to have a seat in the smoking car, you may ask a staff to look for. If you do not mention, usually you will be assigned a seat on non smoking car. If a seat is available on only smoking car, usually a staff let you know and make sure that you accept it or not. - Passport
If you use JR Pass or other JR passes, you always have to carry your passport. You may be asked to show it by a station officer or a conductor when they want to check it.
When you can start booking
You can make a reservation anytime within one month prior the departure date. The ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date at 10:00am
e.g.
Departure date — August 23 at 10:00 am. the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka
Ticket is on sale at 10:00 am on July 23.
e.g.
Departure date — August 24 at 00:34 am. Sunrise Seto from Osaka to Tokyo
Ticket is on sale at 10:00 am on July 23, not July 24. Because this train originally depart from Takamatsu at 21:26 on August 23. Overnight trains are very few in Japan currently. But if you book a seat on overnight booking, please check the departure date at the original departure station.
The reserve seat on most trains can be reserved at Midori no Madoguchi only. So you have to be in Japan when you book. Online booking is still very limited.
Online booking
Japan Rail Pass official site
If you buy the JR Pass at the official site, you can make a booking through this website.
Japan Rail Pass official reservation website
You can book a seat on most JR trains. However the price of JR pass is higher than the prices at the authorized dealers. If you buy the JR pass at the authorized dealer, you cannot book a seat on this site.
JR East Train Reservation
This online reservation system is operated by JR East. Unfortunately this JR East Shinkansen Reservation is only English online reservation for the traveler who use JR Pass, Hokkaido Rail pass and JR East Passes. If you intend to use a regular ticket, you can use this site too.
This site offers a seat reservation for the trains which run in JR East and JR Hokkaido areas. So you CANNOT make a reservation for the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (Tokyo-Kyoto or Osaka) and other limited express trains which does not run in JR East and JR Hokkaido area. And also there are some restrictions. The biggest restriction is the ticket pick up. You must pick up a ticket one day before the travel date. You cannot pick up a ticket on the day of travel. Please read Guide (FAQ) before you make a booking.
Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Reservation App “EX”
This app is available in a few countries only. And also this app is available for a regular ticket user only. You cannot use this app to book a seat for JR Pass or other rail passes. However any rail passes do not meet your trip plan and this app is available in your country, this is very convenient. You can book it in advance from your smartphone.
JR West Online Train Reservation
JR West has launched the online reservation site. However this online booking system does not cover any train pass user. You can use this online reservation as the regular ticket user only.
If you use a regular ticket, this online site may be a good choice. This online booking covers most of JR trains.
Eki-net (えきねっと)
I have received a comment from one of my readers, Tak. He mentioned me that we can use this Japanese online reservation system even for Japan Rail Pass or other travel passes users. This online reservation is in Japanese. So unfortunately this is not available for all of you. However some of my readers asked me that we can use a friend in Japan to make a reservation for Japan Rail Pass user in outside of Japan. You can do it with your friend in Japan and use this site.
This reservation system covers all over Japan. You can book for the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka which is not available on JR East Train Reservation.
How to reserve a ticket from outside Japan in advance
As you saw, online reservation does not cover all trains. I really wish Japan Railway have full online reservation system.
If you want to secure your seat before departure, the local travel agent may be able to help you. This is only way to reserve a ticket before you depart from your country.
One of my frequent visitors, James in Australia, left a comment. He did this way many years ago. But I would like to share this information:
*JTB actually charge MORE than $55 Australian dollar($56 US dollar March 2011 currency) per ticket, in fact JTB charge $75 Australian dollar(US$76) per ticket.
The $75 came from $55 service fee plus $20 courier fee to deliver your ticket to your hotel in Japan, $55+$20=$75 Funny my ticket for SL-Yamaguchi express is only $60 therefore altogether I need to pay $135 to get SL-Yamaguchi express ticket!
So, all I can say is, if you want to get a JR train ticket before you get to Japan, make sure you are ok with paying at least $75( $76 US dollar), it helps if you really need to get on a particular train that is very hard to book or if you are travelling during peak season. But if you are not in a hurry, travelling in leisure pace across Japan, perhaps think twice.
I hope is worthy many people told me SL-Yamaguchi express is the best steam train experience ever in Japan.
Unfortunately this is only way to do it. You can find Japan Rail Pass authorized agent at JR Pass official site. They may be able to reserve a ticket for you too. But some of the agent do not want to reserve your seat. They want to book whole things, like hotel, air ticket, attraction tickets. Because it is too small profit to make a reservation for only train ticket.
Comments
Hi Takeshi san,
I have a question regarding reservation with JR Pass. I want to make reservation, just to safely secured my seat. My visit in Japan will be in July for 2 weeks. Arrive in Osaka, travel to Kyoto, followed by Tokyp. During that time, I will be using JR Pass, some plans so far, are; from Kyoto-Echigo Yuzawa (by Tokkaido shinkansen, followed by Joetsu shinkansen); from Echigo Yuzawa to Tokyo; and daytrip from Odawara to Tokyo.
The question is, my above plans are covered in JR East area, by that I can make online reservation. But when I open the website, it says that I need to collect my reservation ticket, and it should be collected only in JR East area coverage, (Osaka and Kyoto are excluded). In the case that I dont collect the ticket by the time limit, I would get penalty.
This is gonna be an issue for me, my earlier trip will be non JR East area, what do you suggest Takeshi san? Should I make online reservation (and advise how am I gonna collect the ticket), or should I reserve through the Midori no Madoguchi office?
Thank you very much,
Gisela
Hi Gisela,
As you think, you can’t use JR East online reservation. Unfortunately you can’t book any trains before you arrive in Japan. But it’s not very hard to book Shinkansen trains. There are lots of trains running. You will be fine.
I think you will arrive in KIX. So exchange JR Pass there and complete all reservations when you exchange the pass. You don’t need to start to use JR pass there. Once you exchange the pass, you can book all trains by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you for your prompt reply Takeshi san,
Yes, I will land in KIX, and exchange the JR Pass there and book my first date of usage, so I can reserve all my trains destination through JR office in KIX then, will I get the reservation ticket at the same time too?
Hi Gisela,
Yes. You can complete all booking at KIX statins. You will receive all tickets there. Once you get all tickets, all you have to do is just hop on the train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there, I live in Izumo and I`d like to know how can I make an reservation for the “Overnight train to/from Tokyo and Izumoshi via Okayama, Sunrise Izumo”. Also I didn`t understand clearly about the chargers from Izumo to tokyo. Can you help me please?? Thanks!
Hi Gus.tky,
You have to go to Midori no Madotuchi in any JR stations.
Base fare is around 12000 yen. And you have to add limited express charge and accommodation fee that are showed above.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
Lets say I have a rough itinerary, then ask the counter to reserve the seat for my whole trip, but if I not show up or miss the train, can I make another reservation? No penalty?
Eg.
Nagoya airport to nagoya – drop bags and change JR Pass and make a reservation here for day 1 and 2. My plan is.. nagoya – kanzawa – takayama (day 1) takayama – nagoya (day 2). As you can see, day 1 is so tight, kanazawa to takayama only have several trains and the last train if Im not mistaken is 4pm. What say you, better to reserve the ticket or not?thanks
Hi Lisa,
As long as you use JR Pass, you can change and rebook anytime. 🙂
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi San,
I’ll be visiting Furano/Biei on 16Jul. Any idea if I can reserve/purchase the Twinkle bus Lavender course when I’m in Kyoto on 13Jul? Understand that 3 days advance booking needed & i only reach Sapporo on 15Jul. Afraid by then tickets are sold out since is the season. If not possible, any good suggestion? Btw, i’ll be using the JR Pass for my trip to Japan.
Tks
rgds,
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
You can book this bus in only Hokkaido. As far as I know, there is no other options instead of this bus service.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San,
How about phone reservation? Perhaps I can get the help of the Kyoto station JR customer service to do that when I’m in Kyoto?
Another question, if I’ve book the train for my entire trip & later decide to change or misses the train, am I allow to do that?
Tks
rgds,
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
I checked JR Hokkaido site (Japanese) again. They don’t take any reservation by phone and email.
There is only one way to book it in Osaka. JR Hokkaido has JR Hokkaido Plaza Osaka branch. If you can go there, they may be able to book it.
It’s located at Osaka Ekimae Building 9th floor. Please see the link below to get more details:
https://goo.gl/maps/aogei
Only JR Hokkaido takes care of this bus. Other JR stations and branch do not take this booking and they don’t know about this bus either.
If you use JR Pass, you can change it anytime.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San,
Thank you so much for helping to get the info. Really appreciate it!! Unfortunately, i will not be in Osaka. Anyway, will see what i can do when i reach Japan then.
Tks again!
rgds,
Yvonne
No problem, Yvonne san.
Remember Osaka is only 30 minutes away from Kyoto by train. If you really want to book it, it may be acceptable.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi san,
I’m travelling from Narita T2 – Shinagawa – Kyoto.
At Shinagawa, do i need to exit to make another reservation for Shinkansen Hikari or is there a transfer gate?
On another route from Kyoto – Nagoya – Takayama.
Shinkansen Hikari 510 arrives 8:33am at Nagoya, and Ltd Exp Hida 3 leaves at 8:43am.
Do we have enough time to transfer and reserve seats? Similarly, what do i need to do when i reach Nagoya.
>> See Route 1
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KYOTO&arv_node=TAKAYAMA&via_node01=&via_node02=&via_node03=&year=2014&month=06&day=17&hour=07&minute=30&search_type=0&search_way=&transtime=undefined&sort=0&max_route=5&ship=off&sprnozomi=off&privately=off&lmlimit=null&search_target=route&facility=reserved&sum_target=7
Thanks for helping out. Am little worried that I might miss the transfer due to searching for transfer and reserving seats.
Hi Paige,
Actually you can book all trains that you take in Japan at Narita. I think you will take Narita Express from Narita to Shinagawa and make a reservation for Narita Express. At that time, you can book Shinkansen for Shinagawa-Kyoto and Kyoto-Nagoya, and Wide View Hida for Nagoya-Takayama. If you will take more trains, you can book at same time as well. When I travel in Japan, I usually complete to book for all trains that I take in Japan right after I arrive in Japan.
If you make a list and show it to JR staff, it will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. And all you have to do at Shinagawa and Nagoya is transferring the trains. 9 minutes is enough to transfer.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi san
Pls share this comment with Paige.
Reserving the seats once you have exchanged JR voucher for the pass is v easy and it makes subsequent travelling a breeze. I have just done it for my trip for multiple stops. All i had to do once i have the reserved seat is to focus on finding the right platform, car number for the train and queue in line. Just remember the trains stop are short and therefore you shld get to the station earlier and queue in line at the correct plaform at least 5 minutes before the train arrives. If you have suitcase luggage, its even more important to be first in queue line. Luggage storage is limited on the trains.
For those arriving at I made my seat reservations at JR Kyoto station becos the Kansai Airport counter cannot do the seat reservation as it was mainly for ICOCA/Haruka and also JR voucher exchange.
Good luck.
Cheers
janice
Hi Janice san,
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. It will be very helpful for the other tourists!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Can I purchase and resreve seat for SLHO one-way ticket from Onuma to Hakodate only?
Thank you
Hi Chaiyan,
You can purchase it at Midori no Madoguchi in major stations throughout Japan. But there is no way to book it online.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Mr.Takeshi,
I apologize if this is going to be unacceptable questions, but I’m just not very good in planning trip 🙁 My questions are :
1. With JR Kanto Pass, where is the best stop to view Mt.Fuji (will be traveling from Shinjuku station), n it’s going to be a day trip, would that be possible?
2. Where would you suggest to visit, in order to be able to take any Shinkansen that’s covered by JR Kanto Pass (we’re thinking of any beautiful villages / town like Nara)
Hi Yani,
1. Lake Kawaguchi is the best. You can get there as day trip easily.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
Kanto Area Pass covers non JR raiwlay, Fuji Kyuko too.
2. I think Nikko is the best. You can take Shinkansen to Utsunomiya and then transfer to local train.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-nikko.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/utsunomiya-station-guide-how-to-transfer-to-nikko-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you very much Mr.Takeshi
No problem, Yani. 🙂
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Mr.Takeshi,
Sorry, i have more questions pls.
1. Can we purchase JR Kanto Pass at JR East service center at Haneda airport? And does the 3 days validity start from the day we purchase? Let’s say i purchase it today, but i only start using it the next day, how does it work?
2. Does the Kanto pass cover the service run by Tokyo Waterfront New Transit Yurikamome frm Daiba station and Oedo Line? Not sure if that is considered as local train or not.
3. How do we go to Kawaguchiko Lake from Kawaguchiko Station? I will be having baby stroller with me, is the distance walkable?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Cheers,
Yani
Hi Yani,
1. Yes, you can. You can purchase it JR East service center just beside Monorail station on arrival lobby floor. But they open 7:45-18:30 only. You can choose any day to start to use it. They will ask you when you want to start to use it and then they issue the pass.
2. No. If you want to go to Odaiba, you have to pay full fare. There is no way to get Odaiba by Kanto Area Pass. Oedo line is not covered by the pass either. This pass does not cover any subway lines.
3. If you want to go to the lake shore, it’s less than 1km and takes about 15 minutes. At Kawaguchiko station, there are lots of maps and info.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
One more question, can i buy one way ticket of Yufin no Mori Express in “Midori no Madoguchi” in Tokyo? We are planning to have just one ride on that Yufin Mori Express and JR pass doesn’t seem to be the most economical option in this case. What is your advise?
And does child below 3 need a ticket for the Yufin no Mori Express?
Many Thanks.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Yes. You can purchase it at Tokyo.
Children under 5 years old is free if you share the seat with you. If you want to book the seat for your child even under 5 years old, you have to pay child rate. Child rate is half amount of adult rate.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks a lot, Takeshi!
Great! Thanks!
No problem, Jessica.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there,
Is it possible to reserve ticket within Japan but not in the same area? What i mean is can i reserve seats for Yufin no Mori Express in “Midori no Madoguchi” in Tokyo?
Thanks.
Hi Jessica,
Yes, you can. You can reserve any JR trains in any JR stations which have Midori no Madoguchi in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San,
Further to the above question, does it mean i can buy tickets in Tokyo for Yufin no Mori Express? (Since we only plan to take a one way ride, we won’t need a JR pass). What is your advise on it?And does child below 3 years old require a ticket?
Many thanks.
Jessica
Dear Takeshi san,
Many thanks for your replies and advise. Your blog is v helpful. Im looking forward to a good trip in may and hopefully more trips to Japan after that.
Cheers
janice
No problem, Janice san.
Enjoy your trip. 😀
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail